Sometime ago, a US-based company placed a classified ad for a Director of Operations position and posted it online and in newspapers. Though 2.7 million saw the ad, only 24 people inquired. The interviews were conducted via webcam, where the interviewer details the requirements and benefits:
1. 135+ hours each week,
2. No breaks,
3. Preferred degrees: Medicine/finance/culinary arts,
4. No vacations/workload increases during the holidays,
5. No pay.
The applicants responded to this job with adjectives such as “insane” and “inhumane.” The interviewer then shared that there are billions who currently hold this position: Moms. Truly they are the unsung heroines who quietly go about their God-given responsibilities without seeking or looking for any public applause.
Anna Jarvis, that US born, epoch-making social activist of the early 20th century, instrumental for making the Mother’s day a reality, was one of the 13 children born to Granville and Ann Jarvis. It has to be said that while like all of us, she saw her mother bringing up her siblings “over the sweat of her brow”, unlike most of us, she was inspired to do something monumentally great to publicly recognize the selfless toil all that mothers subject themselves to whilst rearing their children. Now, thanks to her unstinted efforts of mobilizing public opinion (read movement) to have a day in honor of the Mothers in the USA, her country began celebrating every second Sunday in the month of May (from 1914 onwards to be more precise) as the Mother’s day. With the Globalization waxing, it would be only a matter of time before this “festival” would go “viral” for good…soon…and today, globally (barring few Nations), the second Sunday of May is dedicated to that special person in our lives who, more than anyone else, mirrors the Creator’s love (who Himself is love — I John 4:8). When we see what exactly constitutes Biblical love in 1 Cor 13:4-6: “Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out…” who donning human flesh comes immediately to your mind? Is it not your mother? Absolutely for she would always believe in you, bear everything for you, hope the very best for you and also endure anything for you (I Cor 13:7)!
In this Series of three parts, Yours truly has endeavoured to bring out the some of the truths so as to show how a Mother’s love is in a way a microcosm of the Almighty’s love, and what serious responsibilities come the way of a privileged Christian mother…
Soothe…
“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;” (Isa 66:13)
A reassuring smile, a quizzical concerned look, a loving hug which only a mother can give, and a frantic kid knows he is in the presence of the one who would go to any extent to relieve his stress. Friends, it is in our DNA to know to discern who will stand by us, come what may. Their very presence would soothe frayed nerves.
There we are, encircled sometimes by problems, some of which are of our own making, and some for which we may not be responsible but whatsoever. Nonetheless, we always have our God of all comfort comforting us through them all by His comforting presence, which a believer alone is privileged to experience (John 14:15-18/2 Cor 1:3-4/Acts 9:31). Here is this writer, who has “lost” (albeit only temporarily) his Mom only a week before the writing this article, who can cite a 100 reasons for breaking down and plunging into depression (even as he remembers her umpteen acts of sacrificial love in his life), but who is being made to stand upright only by the inimitable comfort His Creator and Redeemer alone can give.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I am experiencing first-hand the comfort, you alone can give. How can I adequately thank you for it!!! In response, I simply praise you whole-heartedly in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Suresh Manoharan
An unworthy servant
J and SM Ministries
(To access the entire “A Tribute to Mothers” mini-series, please click here.)